RADIO
RotoBallers, Week 17 has finally arrived! For the majority of leagues, it's the fantasy football championship game. We have been with you all season long and are back with our Week 17 fantasy football waiver wire rankings to help you make the right moves this week on the waiver wire. Let's hoist the hardware together!
Week 17 comes with new injuries and the return of some players who have been out a while. There will likely be fill-ins and backups to emerge as viable fantasy options. Be sure to follow the news closely and be ready to strike. Each year, players always rise during the fantasy playoffs to become difference-makers and help win fantasy titles. Is Clyde Edwards-Helaire fantasy relevant for a struggling Chiefs offense with both Isiah Pacheco (concussion) and Jerick McKinnon (groin) sidelined? Is Khalil Herbert Chicago's lead back with D'Onta Foreman (personal) out for personal reasons? Will K.J. Osborn replicate his Week 16 performance (6-95-1) in the fantasy football Super Bowl with both Jordan Addison (ankle) and T.J. Hockenson (knee) dealing with injuries?
Our waiver wire rankings will help answer these questions -- they've been a staple in the fantasy industry for years, providing a quick-hit list of player names that goes deep into the free agent options each week. For those unfamiliar, one of the industry's sharpest fantasy football minds, Nick Mariano, brings you his weekly waiver wire rankings and priority adds for the top 60 potential options.
Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for the 2025 playoffs:- Quarterback fantasy football rankings
- Running back fantasy football rankings
- Wide receiver fantasy football rankings
- Tight end fantasy football rankings
- Kicker fantasy football rankings
- FLEX fantasy football rankings
- Defense (D/ST) fantasy football rankings
- Superflex fantasy football rankings
- IDP fantasy football rankings
- Dynasty fantasy football rankings
Week 17 Waiver Wire Articles
Before diving into the Week 16 rankings, let's look at some other free waiver wire resources available at RotoBaller.
Each week, our NFL team puts out a complete array of fantasy football waiver wire articles to compliment our slick new Who Should I Pickup? Waiver wire player comparison tool. Bookmark it!
In addition, here is a quick rundown of our other waiver wire articles. First up is our overall Week 17 fantasy football waiver wire pickups (all positions) article by Robert Lorge and the famous Week 17 waiver wire express article compliments of Nick Mariano. These give a nice overview of the waiver wire pickup options each week. Then, we also look at FAAB waiver wire bidding recommendations from Nick Mariano. We also dig deeper for each position with individual waiver wire articles:
- RB waiver wire pickups for Week 17
- WR waiver wire pickups for Week 17
- TE waiver wire pickups for Week 17
- QB waiver wire pickups for Week 17
- D/ST waiver wire pickups, streamers for Week 17
- Kicker waiver wire pickups, streamers for Week 17
- IDP waiver wire pickups for Week 17
Who To Pickup for Fantasy Football Week 17?
Finally, below, you'll see our weekly rankings for the relevant waiver wire pickup options, including how to prioritize them for your league (depending on the league size). Quarterbacks and Defenses (D/ST) are grouped together at the bottom of the list:
| Rank | Player Name | Pos. | % Ros. | Baller Move |
| 1 | Clyde Edwards-Helaire | RB | 36 | Add in All Leagues |
| 2 | Khalil Herbert | RB | 45 | Add in All Leagues |
| 3 | Jerry Jeudy | WR | 54 | Add in All Leagues |
| 4 | Zamir White | RB | 30 | Add in 10+ Team Leagues |
| 5 | Noah Brown | WR | 48 | Add in 12+ Team Leagues |
| 6 | Romeo Doubs | WR | 57 | Add in 12+ Team Leagues |
| 7 | Joshua Palmer | WR | 46 | Add in 12+ Team Leagues |
| 8 | Curtis Samuel | WR | 40 | Add in 12+ Team PPR Leagues |
| 9 | Dontayvion Wicks | WR | 13 | Add in 12+ Team Leagues |
| 10 | Rashid Shaheed | WR | 44 | Add in 12+ Team Leagues |
| 11 | K.J. Osborn | WR | 16 | Add in 12+ Team PPR Leagues |
| 12 | Tyler Allgeier | RB | 47 | Add in 12+ Team Leagues |
| 13 | Demarcus Robinson | WR | 10 | Add in 12+ Team Leagues |
| 14 | Josh Downs | WR | 51 | Add in 12+ Team PPR Leagues |
| 15 | Tyler Boyd | WR | 55 | Add in 12+ Team PPR Leagues |
| 16 | Demario Douglas | WR | 21 | Add in 12+ Team PPR Leagues |
| 17 | Kareem Hunt | RB | 56 | Add in 12+ Team Leagues |
| 18 | Chris Rodriguez Jr. | RB | 3 | Add in 12+ Team Leagues |
| 19 | Jameson Williams | WR | 22 | Add in 12+ Team Leagues |
| 20 | Quentin Johnston | WR | 20 | Add in 12+ Team Leagues |
| 21 | Kenneth Gainwell | RB | 28 | Add in 12+ Team PPR Leagues |
| 22 | Roschon Johnson | RB | 26 | Add in 12+ Team PPR Leagues |
| 23 | Tyjae Spears | RB | 45 | Add in 12+ Team Leagues |
| 24 | Tucker Kraft | TE | 19 | Add in 12+ Team Leagues |
| 25 | Juwan Johnson | TE | 12 | Add in 12+ Team Leagues |
| 26 | Greg Dortch | WR | 5 | Add in 12+ Team PPR Leagues |
| 27 | Chase Brown | RB | 20 | Add in 12+ Team PPR Leagues |
| 28 | Leonard Fournette | RB | 5 | Add in 14+ Team Leagues |
| 29 | Gerald Everett | TE | 44 | Add in 14+ Team Leagues |
| 30 | Justice Hill | RB | 20 | Add in 14+ Team Leagues |
| 31 | Treylon Burks | WR | 11 | Add in 14+ Team Leagues |
| 32 | Chigoziem Okonkwo | TE | 32 | Add in 14+ Team Leagues |
| 33 | Justin Watson | WR | 3 | Add in 14+ Team Leagues |
| 34 | Marvin Mims Jr. | WR | 8 | Add in 14+ Team Leagues |
| 35 | Darius Slayton | WR | 2 | Add in 14+ Team Leagues |
| 36 | Rico Dowdle | RB | 9 | Add in 12+ Team Leagues |
| 37 | Parker Washington | WR | 7 | Add in 12+ Team Leagues |
| 38 | Brandon Johnson | WR | 0 | Add in 14+ Team Leagues |
| 39 | Jamal Agnew | WR | 0 | Add in 14+ Team Leagues |
| 40 | Jaleel McLaughlin | RB | 9 | Add in 14+ Team Leagues |
| 41 | Mike Gesicki | TE | 3 | Add in 14+ Team Leagues |
| 42 | Emari Demercado | RB | 3 | Add in 14+ Team PPR Leagues |
| 43 | Kylen Granson | TE | 1 | Add in 14+ Team Leagues |
| 44 | Tre Tucker | WR | 0 | Add in 14+ Team Leagues |
| 45 | Jordan Mason | RB | 4 | Add in 14+ Team Leagues |
| 46 | Lucas Krull | TE | 0 | Add in 14+ Team Leagues |
| 47 | Ameer Abdullah | RB | 1 | Add in 14+ Team PPR Leagues |
| 48 | Andrei Iosivas | WR | 0 | Add in 14+ Team Leagues |
| 49 | Derek Carr | QB | 39 | Add in 12+ Team Leagues |
| 50 | Jake Browning | QB | 45 | Add in 12+ Team Leagues |
| 51 | Joe Flacco | QB | 33 | Add in 14+ Team Leagues |
| 52 | Taylor Heinicke | QB | 6 | Add in 14+ Team Leagues |
| 53 | Tyrod Taylor | QB | 0 | Add in 2QB Leagues |
| 54 | Bryce Young | QB | 12 | Add in 2QB Leagues |
| 55 | Bailey Zappe | QB | 2 | Add in 2QB Leagues |
| 56 | Houston Texans | DST | 39 | Add in 12+ Team Leagues |
| 57 | Seattle Seahawks | DST | 24 | Add in 12+ Team Leagues |
| 58 | Jacksonville Jaguars | DST | 41 | Add in 12+ Team Leagues |
| 59 | Las Vegas Raiders | DST | 12 | Add in 12+ Team Leagues |
| 60 | Los Angeles Rams | DST | 20 | Add in 12+ Team Leagues |
Some of the top names include Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Khalil Herbert, Jerry Jeudy, Zamir White, and Noah Brown. We recap why these players rostered under 55% in Yahoo! leagues should be on your radar when scrolling through the waiver wire for Week 17.
Jerry Jeudy, WR, Denver Broncos (54% Rostered)
Week 17 Waiver Wire Rankings: 3
Denver Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy is expected to be quarterback Russell Wilson's No. 1 target if Courtland Sutton (concussion) misses Week 17 against the Chargers. Jeudy caught three of five targets for 44 yards in last Saturday's loss to the New England Patriots. Although Jeudy didn't capitalize on the expanded opportunity, the fact that the former first-round pick will be one of the Broncos' top red zone weapons makes him an appealing pickup off the waiver wire.
Sutton entered concussion protocol and will have six days to clear the NFL's five-step process. He has caught 10 touchdowns this season, including four of his last six games. Someone has to step up and be Denver's top red zone target; all signs point to Jeudy. The 24-year-old could thrive in a plus matchup versus the Chargers, who have allowed the third-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers. Fantasy managers searching for wide receiver help should look to add Jeudy in all league formats.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, Kansas City Chiefs (36% Rostered)
Week 17 Waiver Wire Rankings: 1
Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (concussion) suffered a concussion in Monday's loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. He will likely enter the league's concussion protocol and have six days to clear the NFL's five-step process. Jerick McKinnon (groin) was placed on injured reserve, leaving Clyde-Edwards Helaire as one of the team's few healthy running backs.
Edwards-Helaire rushed for six yards on four carries and caught all three of his targets for 42 yards on Monday. The former first-round pick had 30 touches over the previous two games, with Pacheco sidelined. CEH will lead Kansas City's rushing attack if Pacheco is unavailable for Sunday's contest versus the Cincinnati Bengals. With a potential expanded role and decent matchup against the Bengals, Edwards-Helaire is on the fantasy radar and is a must-add in all league formats.
Zamir White, RB, Las Vegas Raiders (30% Rostered)
Week 17 Waiver Wire Rankings: 4
Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (quad) has missed the last two weeks due to a quad injury. Zamir White replaced Jacobs as the Raiders' lead back in both games. White has rushed for 214 yards on 39 attempts and a touchdown while catching three passes for 16 yards in the previous two weeks with Jacobs sidelined.
Suppose Jacobs cannot suit up for Sunday's upcoming contest against the Indianapolis Colts. In that case, White will remain the Raiders' lead back and continue to have an expanded role in the fantasy championship week in most leagues. Fantasy managers, especially Jacobs ones, and those searching for running back help should look to add White in all league formats.
Khalil Herbert, RB, Chicago Bears (45% Rostered)
Week 17 Waiver Wire Rankings: 2
Chicago Bears running back D'Onta Foreman missed Week 16 due to personal reasons. It's unclear when Foreman will return to action. Backfield teammates Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson were Chicago's top RB options with Foreman out. Herbert led the way with 20 carries for 112 yards and one touchdown while catching both targets for nine yards during Sunday's 27-16 win over the Cardinals.
Herbert set a season-high in rushing yards and out-touched Johnson (21-12) in Week 16. If Foreman is unavailable for Week 17 against the Falcons, Herbert will take on the lead role for the Bears for the second straight week. Atlanta has allowed the sixth-fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs this season. While Herbert is worth adding in all league formats, fantasy managers can't expect a repeat of his Week 16 performance in a tougher matchup against the Falcons.
Noah Brown, WR, Houston Texans (48% Rostered)
Week 17 Waiver Wire Rankings: 5
Houston Texans wide receiver Noah Brown has caught 11 passes for 120 yards and a touchdown over his last two games without rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud (concussion) at the helm. Brown was held in check in Sunday's loss to Cleveland, catching three of seven targets for 38 yards. Stroud could return in Week 17 in a plus matchup against the Tennessee Titans, boosting Brown's fantasy value.
The Titans have allowed the eighth-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers this season. Brown has caught 35 passes for 559 yards and two touchdowns over nine games in 2023. The 27-year-old should see plenty of targets as Stroud's No. 2 option and is worth adding in all league formats, especially in a favorable matchup for the fantasy championship game.
Running Backs - Week 17 Waiver Wire Rankings
Pickups are in priority order:
| Player Name |
| Clyde Edwards-Helaire |
| Khalil Herbert |
| Zamir White |
| Tyler Allgeier |
| Kareem Hunt |
| Chris Rodriguez Jr. |
| Kenneth Gainwell |
| Roschon Johnson |
| Tyjae Spears |
| Chase Brown |
| Leonard Fournette |
| Justice Hill |
| Rico Dowdle |
| Jaleel McLaughlin |
| Emari Demercado |
| Jordan Mason |
| Ameer Abdullah |
Wide Receivers - Week 17 Waiver Wire Rankings
Pickups are in priority order:
| Player Name |
| Jerry Jeudy |
| Noah Brown |
| Romeo Doubs |
| Joshua Palmer |
| Curtis Samuel |
| Dontayvion Wicks |
| Rashid Shaheed |
| K.J. Osborn |
| Demarcus Robinson |
| Josh Downs |
| Tyler Boyd |
| Demario Douglas |
| Jameson Williams |
| Quentin Johnston |
| Greg Dortch |
| Treylon Burks |
| Justin Watson |
| Marvin Mims Jr. |
| Darius Slayton |
| Parker Washington |
| Brandon Johnson |
| Jamal Agnew |
| Tre Tucker |
| Andrei Iosivas |
Quarterbacks - Week 17 Waiver Wire Rankings
Pickups are in priority order, with emphasis on Week 17:
| Player Name |
| Derek Carr |
| Jake Browning |
| Joe Flacco |
| Taylor Heinicke |
| Tyrod Taylor |
| Bryce Young |
| Bailey Zappe |
Defenses (D/ST) - Week 17 Waiver Wire Rankings
Pickups are in priority order, with emphasis on Week 17:
| Player Name |
| Houston Texans |
| Seattle Seahawks |
| Jacksonville Jaguars |
| Las Vegas Raiders |
| Los Angeles Rams |
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More Waiver Wire Analysis
Check out all of RotoBaller's fantasy football rankings. Staff rankings are updated regularly for all positions and include standard formats, PPR scoring, tiered rankings and dynasty leagues.
